Tuesday, December 31, 2013

2013 . . .

Wasn't as ghastly a year as 2012. That’s maybe not a ringing endorsement, but I had three surgeries in 2012 and was half-blind for most of it, so when looked at in that light, 2013 was actually kind of all right, you know?

The best thing to happen all year was a week at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, which I spent with my grandson, his wife, and their two children, Kasumi and Andrew who, as you can see for yourself, are beautiful, brilliant children. Fun!


It was also a year in which I invested a whole bunch of myself and my money in what I laughingly call my writing career. For one thing, I went with a new publisher (ePW – and if you want to see what they do, click on the link), which repackaged, branded and republished the first six of my Daisy Gumm Majesty books as e-books. I think (although it's too early to tell) that they're actually going to make money! What a lovely departure that will be. You can see ’em here (and I’ve thoughtfully provided a link should you wish to purchase one, or even all, of them):



2013 was also a year in which a bunch of my own personal books were narrated and turned into audiobooks! This is quite a thrill for me, since I have such killer arthritis, it’s difficult for me to hold books any longer. You can see the ones that have been done to date here (and I’ve cleverly included links to Audible.com in case you have a sudden, burning urge to by one of them):


There are more audiobooks to come, what’s more. Here’s the cover for the next one that will be published, PECOS VALLEY REVIVAL, the reader of which, Heather Thompson, sounds precisely like Annabelle Blue should sound, which is a Very Good Thing:



Other than those things, life has proceeded pretty much the way it always does. Too many dogs, not enough money, constant pain (and this, in spite of the agonizing back operation I had in September of 2012). Guess I just ruined my bod during all those years of dancing and aerobicizing and having fun. I honestly wouldn’t mind getting old if it didn’t hurt so much.

On the doggie front, I lost one dog, gained two, and fostered a whole bunch of them. I’m sticking to fostering small dachshunds from now on, due the aforementioned pain issue. It’s always an honest thrill when a foster wiener gets adopted into a happy forever home.

So, what the heck. HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone!


17 comments:

Jim Hull said...

If you foster large dogs, you won't have to bend over.

:-)

Alice Duncan said...

Yeah, but walking big dogs is more stressful on the aching back than walking small dogs. Of course, if I didn't walk five dogs at once, things might be less painful, too. Oh, well :-)

Unknown said...

Love ALL of your books, Alice. 2014 is bound to be even better. Happy New Year!

Alice Duncan said...

Thanks, Sue! You're so nice to me!

Alice Duncan said...

Thanks, Sue! You're so nice to me!

Anonymous said...

You have a new convert to your Mercy Allcutt series -- one of our people here wanted something to tide her over while she waited for the rest of the Kerry Greenwood (Phryne Fisher) titles to come in from other libraries. She loves it! Now to introduce her to Daisy ...

Happy New Year ~
LynneW

Alice Duncan said...

Thanks, Lynne! I'm so glad she likes Mercy, and hope she enjoys Daisy, too!

Sheila Deeth said...

Happy New Year! I love any dogs, large or small. The small ones jump up, and the large ones don't need me to bend. I love your books too!

Alice Duncan said...

Thanks, Sheila! I appreciate your kind words!

Jacqueline Seewald said...

Alice,

I'm so glad this has been a better year for you and that your health has rebounded! Best wishes for much success with the new publisher.

Alice Duncan said...

Thanks, Jacquie! I was so glad to see the end of 2012, I doubt I'll ever hate another year quite as much :-)

Susan Oleksiw said...

It sounds like things are getting better. Sorry about the pain, but you'll forget that if your books start making money. Congrats.

Alice Duncan said...

From your fingertips to God's ear, Susan :-) Thanks!

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Writing can be such a dismal business. I love your books that I've read, especially the Daisy ones.

Have a happy year!

Mary Montague Sikes

Alice Duncan said...

Thank you so much, Mary! I do so appreciate people who appreciate Daisy. She's my favorite, too. And her next book will be out in March.

Carole Price said...

Whoa, this is all so interesting. Best of all, you are feeling better. And you have a new publisher. Congratulations, Alice. It's going to be a great year for you.

Alice Duncan said...

Thanks, Carole!